Gasoline-engine locomotive



April 14, 1931. w. c. ARMSTRONG GASOLINE ENGINE LOCOMOTIVE Filed-\Jan.23, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet .rJn/venor/ VV/LL/AM C. ARMSTRONCI,

Filed Jan. 25, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet Jw wlov WILLIAM (MRMaTKo/vq,

Patented Apr. 14, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAIVI C.ARMSTRONG, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CERAMIC MA- CHINERYCOMPANY, OF HAMILTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO GASOLINE-ENGINELOCOMOTIVE Application filed January 23, 1928.

This invention relates to improvements in' gasoline engine locomotivesof the type and character set forth inmy copending application filedFebruary 6, 1928, Serial No. 252,122, now Patent No. 1,7 65,559 of June24.,1930.

I The present improvements consist, first, ofthemanner of-mounting thejournal boxes and Wheel axles in the general frame; second, in theposition and manner of mounting supporting-skids in the general frame;third, in the manner of spacing and positioning track wheels on theiraxles to adapt the same general frame to use on railways of differentgauges; and fourth, in the manner of mounting andjsecuring the sprocketwheels on the axles. 1

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a partial sectional view and elevation of the general frameshowing the manner of mounting the journal boxes and supporting skidsand is taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2. Figure 2 is a verticaltransverse sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing themanner of mounting the journal boxes, of spacing the track wheels andmounting the sprocket wheels.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on theline 33 of Figure 1illustrating features in the mounting of the journal boxes.

Figure 4: is asectional view through one of the track wheels showing aform of spacing sleeve: for positioning the ground wheels to travel on atrack of differentgauge from thatsho-wn in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the general frame,'thejournal boxes andthe skids. Figure 6 isa partial sectional view and elevation showing thesprocket wheels halved and their mounting, and taken on the line 6 6 ofFigure 2.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the general frame of thecharacter set forth in my copending application above cited. This frameis formed with arches 2, leaving vertical walls 3 on'each side. In thesewalls are entered sturdy stop screw bolts 1' adapted to'lpermitthefgeneral frame to Work up and downwith reference 'to the journalboxes Serial No. 248,661.

generally indicated at 5. The boxes are formed of a casting, rectangularin shape. as best shown in Figure 2. On their sides they have ribs 6which occupy the space between the upper and lower sets of stops 4, asbest seen in Fig. 1. These ribs are preferably cast on the box walls. Inthis way the boxes and the general frame are allowed relative movementin the vertical, according to the weight the frame is carrying or thejolting that may cause the frame to move up and down with reference tothe boxes, the latter being supported on the wheel axles 7, as clearlyseen in Fig. 2.

Flanges 8 cast on the boxes serve the dou ble purpose of forming ashoulder back of the leaf springs 9 and back of the ledges 10 on thegeneral frame as shown in Fig. 3. In this way the boxes are preventedfrom outward movement beyond the frame other than their normal position.The boxes are prevented from inward movement on the frame by theshoulders 11 on the axles.

Caps 12 are secured to the boxes by screws or bolts indicated at 13, andmay be removed for access to the ball bearing mountings 13a for purposesof lubrication.

Thus it will be understood that my journal boxes are carried in themanner stated by the general frame and are capable of permitting theframe to have up and down movement to the extent of the travel betweenthe ribs 6 and the stops 4, while the boxes are prevented fromtransversedisplacement by the ledges 8 and shoulders 11.

The numeral 14 designates integral portions of the general framefashioned to constitute seats 15 within which. are fitted supportingskids indicated at 16. These skids are firmly fitted in the seats 15 andare made, preferably, of wood, being in the nature. of heavy timbers.They overlie the rails and when the wheels are on the rails the skidsare above and free of any contact with the rails, while if the wheelsare derailed then the skids come down on the rails and perform thedouble oflice of supporting the locomotive and of acting as brakes toovercome the momentum, which arises from the frictional engagement ofthe supporting skids on the treads of the rails. In locomotives of thecharacter here referred to, these skids are very important and valuable.They prevent breakage should the locomotive drop down due to thederailment of the wheels, at which time the skids act as supports andbrakes. And itwill be observed that the seats are formed by theport-ions 14 which are integral with the general frame.

I Referring to that feature of the invention which relates to'spacingthe track wheels at different distances apart to accommodate them totracks of different gauges, whether more or less wide or more or lessnarrow as compared with any given standard. This feature of theinvention is carried out by the use and application of. spacing sleevesindicated at 17, being castings of cup-like formation so as to comprisea hub 18, which'fits upon the axle and a flange 19 which fits within therim 20 of the wheel and is bolted to the web of the wheel as indicatedat 21.

sleeves, one between the journal box and the wheel, and the otherbetween the wheel and a shoulder on the axle indicated at 22.

The lateral dimensions of the outer spacing sleeve 17 may be, as shownin Fig. 2, for a gauge ofa certain width, or may be less in extent forsome other gauge of greater width.

In the illustration in Fig. 2, the inner and outer spacing sleeves 17are together of sufficient lateral dimension to occupy the space betweenthe inner face of the journal boxes and the shoulders 22. I

In the illustration given in Fig. 4, the lateral dimension of the outerspacing sleeve 17 a is shortened, and the lateral dimension of the innerspacing sleeve is increased, so to position thetrack wheel 23 furtherout on the axle for a wider gauge of track.

Thus it will be understood that by the use of my interchangeable spacingsleeves, I can utilize a general frame of fixed dimensions With'variouswidths of track gauge by thus being able to position the track wheelsappropriately on the axles for the particular gauge.

With reference to the manner of mounting the sprocket wheels, it will beobserved that I have fashioned the inner spacing sleeves 1701' 17 a, asthe case may be, with circular rims 24 and make the sprocket wheels 25each in thenature of annulus" 26 whose interior diameter is equal to theexterior diameter of the: spacing sleeve, and whose inner face abutsagainst the rim 24:. Each sprocket is made inhalves so as to be readilyapplied over the spacing sleeve as'indicated in F ig. 5.

Through bolts 27 are employed 'to secure the sprockets to the sleeve bypassing through thesprockets and the rim 24.

It will now be understood that in case of breakage of a. sprocket wheel,or other injury, as well as in the case of assembling the machine, thisconstruction and arrangement of the sprocket wheels and the spacingsleeves make the work feasible and the application and removal of thesprockets an easy task. These sprockets are, of course, driven bysprocket chains operated by the engine, but that feature forms no partof the present invention.

The inside cup or bell-shaped casting gives additional stren h to theaxle as it'extends to or near to the journalbox bearing in which theaxle is mounted. The power is applied directly to the flanges of thewheels on the inner sides inside of the wheels. The hubs the sprocketsare attached to are a part of the bell-shaped casting.

Greatly increased leverage to drive the locomotive is secured by thisconstruction as the leverage isnot less than eighteen incheswhereas inprevious constructions the maximum leverage to be secured from. suchconstruction was from three to five inches.

I have eliminated all keys and key seats which weaken the constructionof the axle atthe'key seat. Furthermore in previous constructions thewheels became'lose on the axle, whereas with my construction the wheelsare firmly held on the axle and the axle is not weakened but it isstrengthened.

By using the proposed bell-shaped castings, I provide atruss-likestructure which greatly strengthens the axle where the maximumstrain of weight support and drive is app i Finally, it will be observedthat I have combined with my general frame, which is in each instance offixed dimensions, these four vital accessories to this frame, namely,the journal boxes and the manner of mounting them ;'the supporting skidsand the manner of mounting them; the track wheels and the manner ofspacing them at different distances apart to adapt them to differenttrack gauges; and the mannerof constructing and mounting the sprocketwheels; all of which features, together with said frame, are and havebeen the. subject of manufacture, sale and commercial use."

I desire to' comprehend within my invention such modifications as may beclearly embraced within my claims and the scope of my invention. e

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new anddesire'to secure by Letters Patent, is: s s

1'. In a locomotive, the combination with a main frame fashioned witharches for the reception of journal boxes, and stops positioned in saidarches a pair on each side, of journal boxes, each having stop ribsadapted to occupy positions between the stops to permit and limit therelative movement of the frame and boxes. I

2. In a locomotive, the combination with a main frame having archesadapted to receive journal boxes, of journal boxes themselves eachhaving a flange adapted to contact with the inner face of the frame anda spring to prevent the boxes from lateral outward displacement.

3. In a locomotive, the combination with a main frame having arches forthe reception of journal boxes, and stops projecting into said arches,of journal boxes adapted to fit in said arches, and having stop ribsadapted to coact with said stops and also having flanges adapted tocontact with the inner part of the frame to prevent the boxes fromlateral outward dislodgment.

4. In a locomotive, the combination with a main frame having arches forthe reception of journal boxes, and stops projecting into said arches,of journal boxes adapted to fit in said arches, and having stop ribsadapted to coact with said stops and also having flanges adapted tocontact with the inner part of the frame to prevent the boxes fromlateral outward dislodgment, and an axle having shoulders which limitthe inward lateral movement of the boxes.

5. In a locomotive, in combination with a main frame having an arch forthe reception of a journal box, stops in the form of screw bolts in saidarch, a journal box in said arch having stop ribs adapted to engage saidstops to limit the relative movement of the frame and box.

6. In a locomotive, in combination with a main frame having an arch forthe reception of a journal box, a pair of stops in the form of screwbolts in each side of said arch, a journal box in said arch having stopribs adapted to engage between the stops of said pair of stops to limitthe relative movement of the frame and box.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM C. ARMSTRONG.

